Bragging!!

Pine, oak, mahoganny, teak, walnut - it doesn't matter what kind it is - I love wood!! Whenever there is a woodworking program on TV and I happen to find it, the family will be watching. The things people can make with wood amaze me!!


So when our oldest son, Luke decided to take "Intro to Woods" as an elective course in Grade 9, I was thrilled. We had no idea that they could pick a project to make and take home, what a bonus!! Luke had to design and build a minature of his project before starting the "life size" version. He built this wonderful stand that year, out of oak. It holds my toaster and cordless phone.






In Grade 10 we had to "force" or should I say "strongly suggest" that Luke make us a blanket chest out of oak. It took 1.5 semesters - he broke his arm 1/2 way through the first semester (for the 2nd time) and couldn't finish it. But that's another long story for a different post. Again, he did a wonderful job even if it wasn't his favorite project. It's in our bedroom. Might make a shallow pillow for on top yet.





The last part of the semester in Grade 11, Luke made himself a smaller chest, out of oak again. The rounded lid was a lot of work, but again he did an awesome job.




There was no wood course for Luke to take in Grade 12, but he had fun tutoring in a Grade 9 "Intro to Woods" class each semester. I'm sure Luke will be totally embarrased that his mother has posted (boasted) about him - but isn't that a mother's prerogative?

Saturday Sellers

These amazing soy candles come from Aroma Candles. I traded a jean blanket with this shop for these wonderful candles. The smell amazing!! These are the scents I got: Fresh Linen, Bamboo Musk, Coconut Cream and Vanilla (of course). Isn't the box cute? These are the first soy candles I've had, they smell wonderful without even burning them. Please check out the shop for more awesome candles, and scents.

These amazing cards are part of my Birthday Give Away happening in April. KaHolly has donated them as a prize. Arent they awesome? This is a shop run by two sisters, Karen and Hollis, who work together to make the most wonderful cards, coasters and fridge magnets (can never have too many). The photos on the cards are so clear and the cards are the perfect size.

Please go to these shops and look around!! Have a wonderful weekend too!

Friday's Fantastic Finds

Here is another installment of Fantastic Finds!! If you've been here before - you will know that I'm addicted to bags, pendants, earrings, art, soaps & lotions. Ok - I like everything! Who knew there was food on Etsy? Amazing!! Some of the finds this week are made from recycled materials (2 bags, a painting, a clock). Enjoy these finds and please click on the pics and visit these wonderful shops. They have many more items that will surprise you!!















Starting next week - I think I will begin featuring only 4 shops and post the pics of 2 items from each shop.  If you have a cool shop with interesting items - leave a comment and I will check it out.  

Ola Designs

Olga was born on the 28th of October 1977 in Ufa Russia (Bashkortostan), just west of the Ural Mountains. Her time as a mosaic designer at Bisazza, tethered with a budding love, answered the call for that vision, which has since blossomed following her move to the west coast of Canada. Now, surrounded by love, and inspirational landscapes, Olga brings her vision to you in her shop Ola Designs. Olga also has a Web Site.

#1. How did you decide on your shop name?

Ola is a short form for Olga and the sound always just seemed to flow together as Oladesign.

#2. When did you start crafting?

I'm self-trained as a painter, though I have product and interior design training. I guess I've been sketching this and that for years, but I really began taking it seriously only about two years ago...the same time I moved to BC.

#3. What or who inspires you?

Of course, my family is my first inspiration for everything, but my work is very centered on nature and feminine themes.

#4. Do you have a day job?

Art is my job. I love what I do.

#5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

'Unconciousness' It's a pencil piece that I did using an artistic exercise technique. The idea is to avoid focusing on the paper and just let the pencil go where it wants. Afterwards, I touched it up a bit and was left with something rich in

personal meaning.

Audrey's Accolades:

Olga has the most amazing prints and has transfered some of those prints onto pendants!! Her imagination and artistry are unique, eye catching with the wonderful colors. There is such a variety in her shop - I can guarentee you will find something you like. I know I found a lot of items I would like. It was quite hard to narrow it down to one! So this is my favorite item in Olga's shop:

Print "Night Dance" of original painting. Image measures 8" X 10" with a white border suitable for framing (8.5” X 11”).

My friend Deborah at The Muddy Moose is having an awesome give away!! It's quite easy to enter and I can guarentee you will like her products (I have some!!).

Here are the prizes:


LAVENDER LOVERS BASKET #1:

2 BARS OF LAVENDER SOAP (YOUR CHOICE OF OAT OR PLAIN)
1 LAVENDER LOTION BAR
1 LAVENDER BATH BOMB
1 LIP BUTTER (YOUR CHOICE)
1 LAVENDER MASSAGE/BODY CANDLE ( 4OZ)


BASKET OF ROMANCE BASKET #2:

1 MASSAGE/BODY CANDLE ( 4OZ)
1 EDIBLE BODY POWDER W/ DUSTER (4OZ)
1 2OZ WARMING MASSAGE OIL
1 1OZ CHOCOLATE BODY PAINT



Just go to her Blog  The Muddy Moose to enter.(2nd post) Contest ends on Feb. 28 at midnight!! Go Go Go!!

Browns Co.

Brown's Country Originals is a shop run by Mike and Donna Brown from Pennsylvania.

#1. How did you decide on your shop name?

We are a husband and wife team. I work with wood, chalkware, clay and papier mache. My wife works with dried, fresh and artificial flowers and hypertufa. These creative passions led us in 2008 to start Brown’s Country Originals. The name came from living in the country and our last name.Hypertufa is a lite weight concrete. Besides the paper mache and chalkware we have a line of garden items my wife makes country/primitive hypertufa birdbaths, flower planters and flower pots. I make country/primitive wooden potting benches, planter and garden stakes.

#2. When did you start crafting?

We start crafting when we were very young.

#3. What or who inspires you?

My wife loves gardening, so that is her inspiration. I have 1 hour commute to my day job. That 1 hour commute is when I come up with my ideas. Also, boring meetings get my creative juices flowing.

#4. Do you have a day job?

Yes, I am a Data Warehouse Architect for a large financial company.

#5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

I enjoy the making paper mache figures. There is no molds so I can use my full imagination. My wife enjoys making her flower planters and flower pots.

Audrey's Accolades:

This is a wonderful shop! Amazing items, that you just don't find a lot of on etsy. So - I know hwat wood, clay & papier mache are. But what is chalkware? Had to ask!! Here is Mike's answer:

Our Chalkware pieces are individually hand crafted and painted in a tradition once popular in 18th and 19th century Germany. The pieces are molded using antique chocolate molds and a special plaster mix. Each piece receives 4 layers of paint giving it an aged and cracked appearance. It takes approximately 3 weeks to complete a piece.

Wow! That's a lot of work. But the out come is wonderful. My favorite in their shop is of course the snowman!

Happy, handsome, snowman bowl hugger is a one of kind piece made of papier mache. He stands approximately 10 ½ inches tall and is 4 inches wide at the base. His arms extend 6 inches out from his body and there is a 3 inch space between his arms and the table top. He makes a great holiday host for your favorite snacks.

I've been busy working on this jean blanket, so I could list it in my etsy shop. But I'm finally done - here it is:

Here is the link to it, in my shop:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21385542

I've also been experimenting with making blank cards to use as "thank-you's" when someone purchases an item or trades with me. It's been a blast!! I know - they aren't very complicated but it's a start and fun to do. I have managed to win some (previous post) but they look so beautiful I don't want to give them away (yet). So I'll make due with these for now.

Do you have something you use as a thank-you when someone buys an item? Do you send a "thank-you" gift?

Saturday's Special Sellers

Pretty Pear Designs

I've actually won a Give Away and just got the package this week!! I won cards identical to these. Just have to tell you about this product. These Fabric Cards are from Pretty Pear Designs

Since selling/trading on Etsy, I've been looking for blank cards, or trying to figure out how to make them myself. These are amazing!! You really need to go to her shop and see the wonderful patterns, colors, fabric that is used to make the cards. This shop also has a Blog.

The Muddy Moose

A friend I've made on etsy got me hooked on handmade soap. I recieved some goat's milk soap from The Muddy Moose after a trade I did with her for a raggedy bag.

This soap is wonderful!! You know how sometimes you get handmade soap and the smell only last for a few washings? Not this soap. My son and I have almost finised the first bar (Twigs & Berries) and it still smells amazing!! My skin is soft (doesn't feel like it's going to peel off!), it lathers nicely, I love it!! Can hardly wait to try the next bar! They have just started a Vegan friendly line that you can see on the Blog.

Please take the time to go see both of these wonderful shops!!

You won't be disappointed.

Have an awesome weekend!!

I've been Tagged!

I've been tagged by Mary at Fish in the C, and wonderful blog about Mary and Bob and what they are up to. They also have an Etsy Shop.

These are the rules:

1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Post 7 facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 people and link to them.
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

Seven facts about myself: Hmmmmm.

#1. I seem to be addicted to handmade soap.
#2. I am 1 year, 9 months and 20 days older than Hubby (I think)
#3. Love trading!!
#4. Wish someone could decide what I should cook everyday.
#5. Love 70's music.
#6. Having a Big Birthday Give away in April.
#7. Have two wonderful sons.

Ok - now I need to find 7 blogs to tag. Here goes:

#1. Sassy Glass Designs
#2. Quilts Galore and More
#3. Heathen's Hearth
#4. Stacie Vaughans Blog
#5. The Muddy Moose
#6. Crafting at the Creek
#7. Hollyz Hobby

I'm done!!! Now I just have to let everyone know. Woot!!

Fantastic Finds!!

When I first decided to do these "treasuries" every Friday I didn't know how hard it would be to pick only 12 shops each week! WOW! There are so many wonderful items on Etsy to choose from. Then I managed to get one "real" Treasury West on Wed. , and used the items I had picked for today. So I had to start all over. But I managed to "find" other awesome items it a very short time. Here are this weeks picks. Please click on the pics & go see these wonderful shops!!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!!

Today is hubby's (Brad) Birthday!! He is now 45 years young (I have to say that 'cause I'm actually a bit older)! While in town this morning I bought a cake at the local Bakery and some chocolates.



Had them write just "Happy Birthday", wasn't sure if I should do "Happy Birthday Sweetie" or "Happy Birthday Brad" or "Happy Birthday Dad" - too many choices. Birthdays aren't much of a celebration here, well except for the boys. But they are still young enough to be excited about birthdays. Once you're over 40 - who cares? Right? (I'm still trying to convince myself that I'm 25 not 40 something!!).

Brad got to have a lazy day at home, which is nice. Who wants to work hard on their B-day. I think summer B-day's are easier, there are more options for things to do (like riding ATV's & Camping!) It was too cold today for Brad to take out his New Toy (links to that post).


How do you celebrate your birthday? Or your hubby's birthday?

Leeya

Leeya is a wonderful shop that comes to Etsy from Israel. Leeya grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan but moved to Israel five years ago. She has a new Blog called "Inspiration Through Creation".

1) How did you decide on a shop name?

My shop name is my first name, Leeya. It's simple and has a clean sound so I chose it.

2) When did you start crafting?

As a very young child I dabbled so diligently in the art of glue and glitter, drawing and whatever else i could get my hands on that the silence coming from my bedroom would frighten my parents and they would periodically come and check that I was still breathing ( I have three brothers). I guess those are my earliest memories of crafting.

3) What or sho inspires you?

Materials inspire me. There is nothing like a few hours in the bead shop. I love sparkling beads and learning new techniques. In fact, I am so inspired by materials that I am considering beginning a masters in materials engineering.

4) Do you have a day job?

I finished my B.Sc. in Physics last year and after a rigorous degree, I am taking this year "off." Rather, I have taken the year to devote to developing as an artist.

5) What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

Good question! I would have to say my jungle berry necklace because at the time that I made it I was experimenting with a new technique and just went wild (as the name suggests). It was exciting watching the pendant develope into a finished necklace (it went through a few stages) and I think that the finished product maintained something of the freedom that I was feeling at the time of creation.

Audrey's Accolades:

What awesome jewelry!! When I saw Leeya's shop I was amazed by the selection, her wonderful imagination and the colors!! Went through her whole shop looking for my favorite, and found so many items that I just loved. There are earrings, necklaces, hair clips (can never have to many), brooches, braceletts and coctail rings. WOW!! Ok - I have to pick one. Maybe it's because we just had Valentine's Day or maybe just because I love everything with hearts on it - I picked this necklace as my favorite item.

This heart has been handshaped from polymer clay. A clear crystal is embedded in the center and is surrounded by a ring of petals in brown and bronze. The petals match delicate brass chain and two small crystal beads are wire wrapped to connect the chain to the lobster clasp.

Maggie Mags

Maggie lives in Rice Lake, Ontario Canada! She has been married 41 years to the same man and they have two intelligent, beautiful daughters. Our daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren all live in the USA. Maggie likes to try different things but loves to test the limits of what glass will accept in the form of decoupage which you can find in her shop MaggieMags Original Creations with Glass. Maggie also has a Blog which is a combination of personal and art related.

#1. How did you decide on your shop name?

I have two shops. The first is named 'Maggiemags' and I use that for showing my decoupage plates and decorative glass blocks during the holiday season. I hope to add a couple of new ideas I'm working on in the next couple of months. 'Maggiemags' is a combination of my nickname (Margaret is my real name and sounds so uptight) and the 'Mags' part is in honour of my grandaughter who was named after me, but her parents call her 'Mags' most of the time. The second shop is 'Maggies Studio' which is dedicated completely to my other passion which is photography. It's kind of a boring name, but is pretty self explanatory, I think.

#2. When did you start crafting?

When younger I used to like crafting but marriage, children and work got in the way. I did a lot of sewing for my daughters though. They both were baton twirlers in a twirling corps, so I was busy making costumes for them. I finally had the time to explore more of my creativity when I retired.

#3. What or who inspires you?

I'm inspired personally by many of my friends and for various reasons. However, on the world stage I get inspired by Oprah Winfrey. More importantly, so many of her guests have inspired me to stay as positive as possible, never give up and to be grateful for the special things in my life. As I've gotten older, I look back and only now can appreciate and be inspired by my Mother who passed away. She was in a wheelchair a good part of her life, but refused to give in to her plight. She absolutely tried to do as much as possible regardless of her circumstances.

#4. Do you have a day job?

I retired in 2004 and that's when I was able to finally have the time to explore my own creativity more intensely.

#5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

I enjoy making most of what I make, but the contemporary styled plates are the most fun for me, probably because I tend to like the clean lines..the geometric patterns are a lot of fun to come up with. At present, I'm almost out of this style, but will begin doing more again beginning in February.

Audrey's Accolades:

I found Maggie while searching etsy for glass blocks that are filled with lights and used as decorations. I had seen some at a craft show and wanted to make one or two for myself, but after talking to the crafter realized quite quickly that they were not about to tell me how they drilled the holes. So I went to Etsy! Maggie was one of the crafters who was very helpful. Of course I then went to check out the rest of her shop and was amazed by her plates. How does she do that? I got an answer!

"When I do the decoupage and paint work on the plates, I actually start with just a clear glass plate and all my work is done on the backside of the plate. Depending on how complicated and layered it is make it a little bit more difficult. Why, you ask. Well, you are actually working in reverse order..whatever you want at the forefront must go on first and then work from there. Because the work is done on the back side of the plate, they really are food safe. However, they can not be immersed in water or put in a dishwasher. If you use to serve, you can only damp wipe.Primarily are meant to be decorative."

I love those plates!! The colors and designs are amazing! But how to pick a favorite? Don't have a choice so here goes.

This plate is approx. 10" round.This decoupage work is done on the back side of a clear glass plate. In this case, this is a paper copy of a butterfly and some butterflies stamped on as well.